The federal government will probe a $180 million program which it says has fallen short on "several" measures to improve the health of the northern Murray-Darling Basin.

Inspector-General of Water Compliance, Troy Grant, announced the inquiry on Wednesday 30 October into then Northern Basin Toolkit, a package of policy and infrastructure brought in following a review of the water system by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) in 2012-2016.

The Authority recommended dropping the water recovery target by 70 gigalitres to 390 for the northern Basin, provided the NSW and Queensland governments agreed to adopt a number of toolkit measures.

However, while the target adjustment passed into law on 2018, the Australian government says there has been "little substantive progress" on implementing several of the Toolkit measures, particularly on critical infrastructure works.

“It appears there are significant issues delaying or preventing the implementation of some Toolkit measures, in part driven by the lack of accountability for implementing this program,” Mr Grant said.

“The integrity of the Basin’s water resources management is paramount. This inquiry will seek to support parties to uphold their commitments and provide the community with accountability.

Troy Grant, IMAGE: Inspector-General of Water Compliance

“We must address the delays and lack of accountability that may jeopardise the future of the Basin. This inquiry is a call to action for all involved to fulfil their commitments.

“Without pre-empting what this inquiry might find, there are likely to be lessons learned that can be applied by all governments in the Basin.”

Submissions to the inquiry are open until 29 November 2024.

One of the toolkit measures adopted by the NSW government is the 'Macquarie Marshes Enhanced Watering Project,' aimed at improving flows in the wetland.

According to the NSW Department of Primary Industries website, the Marshes riverbed has been restored to what it was 10-15 years ago, which is says will put a stop to erosion.

The works took place at Oxley Break Number 3, a stream in the southern part of the marshes about 80km north of Warren.

The original deadline for the state governments to implement the Toolkit was June 2024, although in August 2023 it was extended to 31 December 2026.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton. IMAGE: Supplied

Outgoing MP for the Federal seat of Parkes, Mark Coulton, said he welcomed the inquiry. 

He also said the measures should not be treated as "revolutionary change" that will turn the system into "permanent river like you would see in Europe."

"I think the review is a good idea. I think the Toolkit and looking at other ways of saving water in the system is a better alternative than just buying productive water from irrigators," Mr Coulton said.

"Where we can improve it, improve it, but the idea that somehow we're going to convert this ephemeral system into something that it's not is a falsehood."

Macquarie Marshes graziers Dugald and Justine Bucknell. IMAGE: The Coonamble Times/ River McCrossen

Mr Coulton said the inquiry should consider timing environmental water releases from storage, particularly accounting for natural events like storms that inject water into the system.

Macquarie Marshes grazier Dugald Bucknell said the inquiry is a "waste of time."

He said the terms of reference are too narrow and should include a probe of the water recovery reduction recommended by the Northern Basin Review, published by the MDBA in 2016.

"The inquiry needs to be increased to include everything to do with the whole Northern Basin Review. The whole lot from start to finish," he said.